City of Cleveland closes skate park at North Coast Harbor, but considers new park in the Flats

The Plain DealerA bicyclist grabs some air at the city of Cleveland's skate park at North Coast Harbor.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The city of Cleveland plans to build a new skate park along the west bank of the Cuyahoga River in the Flats after closing its current park at North Coast Harbor.

City officials and skateboarders say the equipment at the current park, which was built in 2004, has become worn and is no longer safe to use.

"The types of ramps that were acquired by the city were steel, prefabricated ramps and were not really meant to last," said Vince Frantz, executive director of Public Square Group, a skateboard advocacy organization.

Frantz envisions the city building a concrete park next to Hart Crane Park at Columbus and Merwin roads. Skateboarding began with "riding concrete," he said.

"There's really no other option," Frantz said. "Custom-poured concrete means it will last and will be unique enough to draw people in and create a regional amenity."

The city will hold a community forum at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 at Speakeasy, 1948 West 25th St., to get public ideas for a new skate park.

"It's important we hear from the community and those who use the current skate park to determine their expectations for the new skate park," Mayor Frank Jackson said in a statement. "Our goal for the eventual redevelopment of this property is that it be consistent with the overall plan and vision for the rebirth of our waterfront."

Jackie Mayo, a spokeswoman for the city's Department of Port Control, said it won't be clear how much a new skate park might cost until the city gets public input.

Frantz said a 9,500-square-foot concrete skate park that opened in Lakewood in 2005 cost $300,000. He hopes Cleveland's new park will be larger.

"The main thing is that the entire peninsula is really ripe for bringing people down there for recreation," Frantz said. "With just a small amount of effort, a skate park would instantly create a large amount of traffic down there every day when it's not raining or snowing."

The city plans to convert the old skate park site behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum into a venue for food and entertainment. In the meantime, new landscaping, benches and tables will be installed there, a news release said.